In The Dark

“Your hardest work is often done in the dark”.... 

I took a workout class earlier this week, and standing in front of a room full of people, the instructor said these words. With one little scented candle on the front stage, she switched the light off, making the room pitch black as the class relied on that flame as a source of light. It seemed to stick with me, as she stressed how often our hardest work may go unacknowledged, but that shouldn’t minimize our work ethic. 

People oftentimes believe that being proud of their work and dedication is a form of selfishness. I am here to stress the opposite. Hours of work or things you worked your a** off for can often go unrecognized, but it’s okay (and important) to pat yourself on the back and be proud of yourself. 

The importance of showing up to my full potential is something I’ve been constantly reminded of throughout my life - not to do it for others, but for myself. From being a high school athlete to the incoming intern, I’ve experienced feelings of defeat and many times jealousy. From hours of practice to sitting on the sideline during games, and working tirelessly through projects for internships just to be told to do it a different way.  We’ve all been in situations like this before, and it can feel exhausting. In my eyes there is always someone or something overshadowing my abilities and this gets in the way of the potential I see in myself. 

I’ve learned, and continue to learn, that challenging myself and failing is what makes me work harder and stronger - even when my hardest work is done in the dark. 

Xoxo,
Jess